Louisville, KY— October 26, 2018 — Local individuals and organizations that make a difference in the lives of children were celebrated at the 4th Annual Kosair Charities Crystal Ball on Thursday, October 25 at the Kosair Shrine Center. The event honored distinguished community members as well as announced the 2019 gifts and grants Kosair Charities committed to organizations in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

At the event it was announced Kosair Charities would commit over $16 million to 90+ partner agencies in 2019. Individual stories about the programming provided through these grants have been celebrated at

recent press conferences with Fund for the Arts, Dare to Care, and Kentucky Youth Advocates, each leading up to the grand total announcement.

“There are nearly 75 organizations represented at the Crystal Ball. It is an incredible experience having a group gathered with one collective goal – helping the overall well-being of children,” said Keith Inman, President of Kosair Charities. “Kosair Charities is honored to support these organizations through our gift and grants program, as well as honor local aspirational leaders.”

In addition to announcing the 2019 gift and grants, the following awards were presented:

The Roger Fox Award – Awarded to a physician whose dedication to children provides hope that all kids will one day be able to run and play. That was the hope Roger Fox had and never lost. Mr. Fox was a dedicated member of Kosair Charities who passed away prematurely and this award is given in his honor. This year’s recipient is Maria Fernanda Nota, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and UofL Pediatrics. Dr. Nota works with Louisville’s Hispanic population focusing on immigrant health and children with special needs. She also leads a support program for Latino families of children with special needs in Louisville and Lexington called Una Mano Amiga.

The Sam Swope Community Leadership Award – The Sam Swope Community Leadership Award recognizes an individual or group who have advanced children’s goals for the future through vision, innovation, and self-sacrifice. This year’s recipient is Barbara Sexton Smith, Metro Councilwoman for the fourth district. Sexton Smith has helped raise more than $220 million dollars for local non-profits and helps ensure 450,000 school children have arts experiences every year.

Cornelius J. “Buddy” Demling Scholarship Program –The Buddy Demling Scholarship Program was established this year by the membership of Kosair Charities to honor one of its long time distinguished members, Buddy Demling. The scholarship is available to help students pursue a college degree or receive vocational training with which to pursue a stated career. Each year Kosair Charities will award two graduating seniors from the First Tee of Louisville Program an award of $2,500 each.

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About Kosair Charities: Since 1923 Kosair Charities has had one primary mission – helping children in need. We know that the quality of a child’s tomorrow depends largely on the quality of health, medical treatment, and support a child receives today. Kosair Charities supports pediatric agencies in our community by donating funding for research, clinical services, health education and care each year. For more information, please visit kosair.org.